Mt. Kenya Fire Situation as at 02/03/2019

PRESS BRIEF: FOREST FIRE SITUATION AS AT 2/3/2019

Today aerial surveillance over Mount Kenya was undertaken and heavy rains were observed on the Southern side of the Mountain covering Castle forest in Kirinyaga thus
effectively putting off fires at this part of the forest. Fire is still very active in Chogoria
heading towards North West. Fire fighting teams were observed employing ‘back firing tactics in spirited efforts to contain the fire.

Forest fires in Ndaragwa, at Kamiruri area have successfully been suppressed by KFS and Community Forest Association (CFA)
teams.

In Geta forest, fire is still active at Sofia area at the steep gradients. Close to one hundred members of the CFA and KFS staff are still at the site fighting the fire.
The Shamata/Satima forest fire is still very active and burning towards Central moorlands of Aberdare. Monitoring of the fires is closely being done with the National and County Administrators. Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forestry
Keriako Tobiko, has spoken about the need to allocate adequate resources to deal with
forest fires which are an annual occurrence. He was speaking at the Wangari Maathai
Day held at City Park today.

Elsewhere in North Rift Conservancy, fire was spotted in Chororget private farms along Kerio valley escarpment approximately over 10 kilometers from Penon Forest station with the wind blowing smoke to Penon forest. Residents who intend to burn any
vegetation in any areas adjacent to the forest have been warned that they need to give forty eight (48) hour’s written notice to the nearest Kenya Forest Service Office

Elias Njeru
HEAD, PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
@Environment Ke
Ministry of Environment&Forestry